The announcement of a new judge on American Idol got me musing on what I like and dislike about the king of all reality shows, and I originally intended to write this as a review of the show. Then I realized my criticism of the show was actually a criticism of the genre itself, so I decided to express these thoughts as my first Blog entry.

There are in my estimation, two major types of reality television series; each with several sub-species and and forms. The first is essentially a game show the prizes vary from a million dollars to a business contract, to a shot at being infected with an STD by a B level celebrity or aging musician. We see behind the scenes alot but basically these are game shows through and through. American Idol falls into this category and for the most part it is also the class of the class so to speak.

The second variety are the documentary shows. These usually take a profession, a particular group or family and try to make us feel we are seeing them being themselves. The earliest of this variety that I can think of would be The Real World, but I would also put Ice Road Truckers, American Chopper, Newlyweds and even The Osbornes into this group. Each attempts to be a documentary reflection of its subject, and each is of course as false a reflection of reality as they can possibly be.

In and of itself, I don't have a problem with either type and I have watched and enjoyed some from both lists. My problem lies with the way people are humiliated for the sake of humor or drama. I know that people clamor for the opportunity to be on these shows and are often the architects of their own humiliation but that doesn't make me feel any less uncomfortable by their treatment. I have stopped watching the first few weeks of American Idol entirely because I can't stand to watch people debase themselves for the sake of being on television. I usually wait until the Hollywood round when it is more a true talent competition and less a circus freak show.

I have a deep belief in the innate dignity of the human person. That is to say I don't believe that said dignity is earned nor that it can be shed without damage to us all. I don't mean that we should never poke fun at ourselves, but the problem with so many reality shows is that people go beyond poking fun and positively debase themselves and others for the sake of a laugh. As I watch these shows, I am sometimes overcome with a sense that schadenfreude has become the most common form of entertainment available in our society. My general response is not laughter but sadness for the people involved.

So my response to people eating disgusting things while trying to avoid vomiting, young ignorant women making themselves look stupid for the sake of being a "star", people stabbing others in the back to win a prize or yes poor disillusioned souls who can't carry a tune who still insist on screeching out their version of "Gloria" to Randy, Paula, Simon and whoever, is to change the channel to something that is a bit more respectful of the human condition and person; like say professional wrestling.